One of the tricks used extensively in parenting is to offer sweets or toys when the kid is hurt. It not only gives temporary happiness, but also wipes out the past disappointment from the child's mind. The Indians are in a somewhat similar position as fans back home are angry and disappointed after their drubbing in the Test series. Pride and retribution will be on the mind of those who played the Tests, but they will know that only a confident victory in the shorter formats will be able to placate their fans. Australia on the other hand, have not been able to replicate their successes in the T20 format. Barring the 2010 T20 world cup where they finished as runners-up, their record has not been any great shakes. Australia is currently ranked 5th in the ICC rankings and if they manage to win both the games, they will jump up to second place.

There has been tremendous buzz around these T20s as the new Australian selection panel have ushered in some radical changes. The uncapped Tasmanian, George Bailey has been named as captain as the selection chief John Inveriarty feels that he has the right skills to lead the side in the frenzied format. Brad Hogg, the wily chinaman bowler, who played his final international game the last time Indians toured Australia, also made the cut after an impressive showing in the Big Bash. Even Dhoni has said that his young side is eager to face-off against the 40-something Hogg and if both sides are able to live up to the expectations, it promises to be a very keenly contested series.

India

The last time India faced off in a T20 was against England in Kolkata. The batsmen put up an abysmal show and could manage only 120 which was chased down by a run-hungry Pietersen. Although a majority of the squad that played the T20 went on to thrash the West Indies in the ODIs, beating Australia at home, in any format, will be a challenge. But with some fresh legs -- Suresh Raina, Manoj Tiwary, Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Parthiv Patel, Ravidra Jadeja and Rahul Sharma -- joining the team for the limited overs matches, Mahendra Singh Dhoni would be hoping for lady luck to smile on him in the first of the two T20 matches ahead of the tri-series, featuring hosts Australia and Sri Lanka. Though the team comprises of youngsters, quite a few of them have been to Australia before as a part of the senior and A sides. Manoj Tiwary, who has emereged as the new kid on the block, made his international debut in Brisbane in 2007 and was clean bowled off a pacy Brett Lee yorker after a painful stay at the crease. Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan, and Praveen Kumar were instrumental in the tri-series win the last time India toured Australia. But all said and done, one thing that stands against India is their record in T20 format.

India lost three straight games each in the super league stage of the two consecutive T20 WCs in England and in West Indies in 2009-10 and young batsmen were exposed big time against the short-pitched deliveries. The Australian bowling line-up is relatively inexperienced featuring the likes of Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh and it will be interesting to see what damage they can cause.

Australia

This is an entirely new look squad. The new selection panel feels that they would want to pick players who can perform their roles in the T20 format to perfection and are looking to build a team which might bring them their first T20 WC in September 2012. Despite having an uber successful Test series, neither of Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus could make it to the T20 side. Specialists like David Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Dan Christian and Doherty retain their place. The pace attack comprises of Bret Lee who will have to shepherd newcomers like James Faulkner and Mitchel Marsh. The bowling will be bolstered by the crafty wrist spin of Brad Hogg who was a revelation in the Big Bash League. David Warner, who thrashed his way to a 180 in typical T20 style in the Perth Test, will look to do the same in the T20s.

Quotable Quotes

Although it's a different format, I think it's important to continue the momentum of the Test team, not only in the cricket they play ,but also the standards they're setting off the field - George Bailey, Australia T20 captain

Brad's an experienced guy and what we have seen is spinners are wily, the more they age the better they get - MS Dhoni on 40 year old comeback 'kid' Brad Hogg